[LINK] The meaning of climate change denial

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Part of the problem lies in the scientific method itself.

Science is a process of theory and model building matched against 
evidence and experiment.

Scientists know and expect their hypotheses to be challenged. The 
difficulty comes when the challenge comes from outside the "normal" 
scientific community and from people with different value systems and 
conditions regarding acceptance of the theories.

There are many theories in science that are not generally accepted by 
all scientists, string theory is one. However string theory deniers are 
not demonised in the same way as many of the climate change deniers.

What is unfortunate is that the "valid" scientific deniers - those 
qualified scientists who have valid questions to ask of the proponents 
of the theories - are being drowned out.

Theory deniers are not going to go away. Scientists are going to have to 
develop ways of dealing with the less rational and the belief based 
sectors of the community.

You can always tell an irrational denier - you just can't tell them much.

-- 
  
Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
email:   brd at iimetro.com.au
website: www.drbrd.com